# NTSB GAA17CA499: Cessna 170, N2486D, Rochelle, IL, August 21, 2017

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 21, 2017, 11:20 local (16:20 UTC)
- Place: Rochelle, IL
- Coordinates: 41.893054, -89.07833 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8931&lon=-89.0783&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 23, 2018
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 95856
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA499
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95856/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95856
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA499

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing with a tailwind.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 74 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 91 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 84 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 37 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during touchdown, the wind shifted to a tailwind. He added that he attempted to go around but was unable. Subsequently, the airplane drifted to the left of the runway, the right main landing gear collapsed, and the right wing impacted the ground. The right wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. An automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 5 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 220° at 14 knots, gusting to 19 knots. The airplane landed on runway 7.

## Factual narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the landing touchdown, the wind shifted to a tailwind. He added that he attempted to go-around but was unable. Subsequently, the airplane drifted to the left of the runway, the right main landing gear collapsed, and the right wing impacted the ground. The right wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located on the airport, reported that about 5 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 220° at 14 knots, gusting 19 knots. The airplane landed on runway 7.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2486D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2486D-2019-01-29), registration cancelled 2019-01-29, S/N 20638, built 1952 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 170 (B)
- Registry model: [Cessna 170B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170b) (registry code 2072306) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C145 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c145-series) (registry code 17012, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 20638
- Year built: 1952
- Airframe hours: 5785.58
- Engines: Continental O300/C145-2 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 17, 2017
- Departed: 0C0, HARVARD, IL
- Destination: RPJ, Rochelle, IL
- Airport: RPJ, Rochelle Muni Airport-Koritz F, runway 07, 5,001 × 75 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 17, 2016; seat: left; flight hours: 1,650 total, 75 in this make and model, 170 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 14 knots, gusting 19
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 11,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.13 inHg
- Observed at: KRPJ

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20170821013549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170821013549A), Aug 21, 2017: Cessna 170B, Rochelle, IL, Substantial damage. Description of accident: on August 21,2017 the pilot in command (PIC) of N2486D, a Cessna 170, landed hard at Rochelle Municipal Airport (krpj) on runway 07…

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 13, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95856. 1.6 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40460809&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 122 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40460810&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Master.PDF
- Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 1 photo, 298 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40460811&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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